Juan Calix

GS: Where are you from?JC: I was born in New Orleans, LA. However, my whole family is from and resides in El Salvador, where I lived from the age of 10-18. I did my undergraduate education at Loyola University New Orleans.

GS: What degree did you/will you receive and when?JC: I am an MD/PhD student. I received my PhD in Microbiology this last summer (2012). I will receive my MD in 2014

GS: How long have you been at UAB?JC: I have been at UAB for 6 years (I am in my sixth year for the Medical Scientist Training Program)

GS: What is your research? JC: My research focuses on understanding the evolution of the human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae and its capsule, especially in response to immunological factors the bacterium encounters in human hosts.

GS: Why did you choose UAB for your graduate studies?JC: UAB has an academic track record comparable to many other good schools around the country. What made me decide to come to UAB was the familial environment of the MSTP, the great price of living in Birmingham, and the city/small town feel of Birmingham.

GS: What has been your most rewarding experience at UAB?JC: Volunteer work at the student run free clinic or health fair/screening around the city with Cahaba Valley Healthcare

GS: Who was your greatest influence here at UAB and why?JC: Split between my principle investigator Moon Nahm and my program director Robin Lorenz. Moon has worked hard in helping shape me into the scientist I am today. Robin has been very important in helping me get through the hard parts and providing a model in how to run an academic program.

GS: What is your motivation in your academics/research?JC: At the end of a successful experiment, being the first person ever to know a piece of information, and thinking of ways how the new information can be used to help others. That is my drive to be a scientist.

GS: What are your plans after graduating and for the future?JC: Finishing my medical residency and fellowship in infectious diseases, aiming to stay in academic medicine.

GS: Is there anything else you would like to say?JC: UAB has been a great experience and I'd like to thank all the friends and faculty that have made my tenure here so successful and fun.

Juan’s Advice for Other Graduate StudentsWork hard with a sense of duty to your school, to your stipend and to your science. And have fun. It may be cliche, but if you're not having fun and you can't see yourself having fun any time soon, you may want to rethink where you are.

Student Spotlight

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Ethics for Authors

The UAB Ethics for Authors website explores ethical issues for students, researchers and faculty writing for publication. The site includes FAQs on citing and writing for research, e-tools and activities, and several handouts.